Consuming Fire

Post date: Nov 15, 2010 1:40:11 PM

"For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb 12:29).

We often hear that “God is love.” That is wonderfully true. But it is also true that God is a consuming fire. This truth is a terror to the enemies of God, but, it is a wonderful consolation to His friends.

As far as His enemies are concerned, “... he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matt. 3:12). This will be the eternal fire of “... hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.” (Mark 9:43).

But the friends of God will not be destroyed by His fire. For them the fire is designed to purge away the dross of sin that they accumulate in their daily lives. For them it is the “refiner’s fire” that they undergo from time to time in this earthly life. “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:3).